Metro Manila, Philippines – Sen. Bato dela Rosa left the Senate premises at around 2:30 a.m. Thursday, May 14, hours after gunshots were heard in the halls of the building on lockdown.
A senator relayed the information to reporters, citing information from the secretariat. This was also confirmed by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano in a briefing Thursday, May 14, afternoon.
Cayetano said Dela Rosa’s wife has messaged him to extend apologies.
“She told me, ‘Habang tumatagal kasi siya diyan sa loob ay mas nadadamay kayo,’” Cayetano said, quoting Dela Rosa’s wife Nancy.
Cayetano said Dela Rosa would have initially stayed in the Senate amid the International Criminal Court arrest warrant, but after the shooting Wednesday night, “he took the opportunity.”
The message stated that she’s hoping the majority senators will not waste Dela Rosa’s sacrifice and “stick together.”
The information came hours after a still undetermined number of armed men allegedly tried to enter the Senate, sparking a shooting Wednesday night.
Other senators earlier said Dela Rosa was safe with ally Sen. Robin Padilla amid the shooting.
Dela Rosa had been holed up at the Senate under protective custody since Monday amid an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
The former police chief turned senator has been absent for months, only showing up on Monday for a crucial vote to unseat then Senate President Tito Sotto.
Dela Rosa’s whereabouts are unknown.
